The Morning Prayer of Philaret Metropolitan of Moscow

Lord, let me accept calmly all that this day might bring me and let me devote myself completely to Your sacred will. Direct me and help me each hour of this day. Control my thoughts and feelings in all my deeds and words. When unpredictable circumstances arise, do not let me forget that everything comes from You.

Teach me to be just towards my brother, never to provoke wrath or cause sorrow. Control my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive and to love.

Lord, let me be an instrument of Your peace, where there is hatred, let me spread love, where there are insults-forgiveness, where there is discord-unity, hope where there is despair, light where there is darkness, joy where there is sadness.

O, Divine Teacher, let me give, rather than receive consolation, let me understand others, rather than be understood, let me love others, rather than be loved. For when we forgive, we are forgiven, when we give, we receive and when we die, we are born into eternal life.

Holy Spirit, help me to dedicate this day to my Lord and Saviour.

Lord Jesus, Son of God, it is better not to live than to live without You. I thank you, God, for the gift of this day and for all the good deeds that You will help me do today.

Merciful God, deliver me from the desire for comfort and make me worthy of denying myself for Your sake and for my brother’s sake at any moment, for that is why You have given me life. Help me to reject anything that does not belong to You, and all that does belong to You to accept with devout faith, hope and love.

Give me courage to serve You worthily, to place justice above profit, the realization of noble deeds above momentary pleasures, to put others before myself and to fulfil Your commandment of love. Let the light of Your beauty, goodness and love shine in my soul.